Critical Mineral Brine Extraction Research and Development Act
The Critical Mineral Brine Extraction Research and Development Act would require the Secretary of Energy to fund and oversee research, development, and demonstrations of technology to extract critical minerals from brine (saltwater-containing underground reservoirs). The aim is to strengthen the United States’ supply of critical minerals by pursuing a potentially cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional mining methods. The bill also mandates a comprehensive Congress-facing report within one year on the technical and economic feasibility of brine extraction, as well as barriers and options for public-private partnerships. Funding is authorized at $2 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out the R&D and demonstration activities.
Key Points
- 1The Secretary of Energy must fund R&D on scale-up, evaluation, and potential commercialization of brine-based extraction technology for critical minerals, and conduct demonstrations in collaboration with private industry to improve performance and lower costs.
- 2The bill calls for demonstrations of the technology to advance performance and reduce costs, leveraging private-sector participation.
- 3Within one year of enactment, the Secretary (working with the Secretaries of Commerce and Defense) must submit a report to specified House and Senate committees detailing the technical and economic feasibility of brine extraction, potential expansion barriers, and options for federal-private partnerships to lower costs and improve efficiency.
- 4The bill provides authorization of appropriations of $2,000,000 for each fiscal year 2026 through 2030 to support the activities in subsection (a).
- 5The overarching purpose is to reduce U.S. dependence on imported critical minerals by advancing domestic brine extraction technology, with emphasis on potential cost savings and environmental improvements versus traditional extraction methods.